Institutionalizing Ecosystem Services Within International Development

Institutionalizing the concept of ecosystem services within international development means incorporating the concept that ecosystem services are essential for sustainable, long-term development projects. Ecosystem services provide a wide range of benefits to local communities, including food, clean water, carbon storage, erosion control, and natural hazard protection. Incorporating ecosystem services into development should involve a collaborative process between government, business, and local citizens to identify and prioritize programs that protect natural resources. This process should also involve the development of strategies to integrate the benefits of ecosystem services into both existing and future development plans. The goal of institutionalizing ecosystem services within international development is to provide a more holistic approach to development that adequately considers the unique needs of various stakeholders and local communities, as well as the social, economic and environmental impacts of development.